People v. Sandoval CA2/2

FACTS

Prosecution Evidence Background Sandoval lived in the City of Lake Elsinore. Sometimes his mother, Guadelia Sandoval (Guadelia), would lend him her green Jeep Grand Cherokee (Cherokee). He was friends with Alvarez and Juan Salmoran (Salmoran). In addition, Sandoval was acquainted with Peter Grbic (Grbic), who also lived in Lake Elsinore. At the relevant times, Sandoval was dating Ray.

1 All further statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise indicated.

2 The Murder; the Aftermath On the night of January 20, 2013, Sandoval, Ray, Grbic and Grbic’s pregnant girlfriend drove from Lake Elsinore to Alvarez’s house in the City of Lynwood in the Cherokee. Ray was the driver. Salmoran went to the same location, where he saw Sandoval sitting in the front passenger seat of the Cherokee. Salmoran thought he saw two other people in the Cherokee with Sandoval. Sandoval greeted Salmoran, and they conversed while waiting for Alvarez. Five or 10 minutes later, Alvarez arrived and greeted Salmoran. The three of them then went into Alvarez’s garage. Alvarez and Salmoran weighed a large amount of heroin—worth approximately $4,000 to $5,000—and placed it in baggies, which were…